A small pond hidden from prying eyes often becomes an ideal place for secluded fishing or family vacation. Boat on the pond It gives you access to the treasured eyebrows and pits where you can't throw gear from the shore, but the choice of boats for limited spaces has its own specifications, different from the choice of equipment for large rivers or reservoirs.
Smaller waters have many factors to consider: depth, snags, noise and maneuverability requirements. Mistakes in choice can lead to not only financial losses, but also environmental or safety imbalances. In this article, we will discuss which vessel will be the best solution for the pond and how to properly operate it.
It is important to understand that pond-like If the pond is privately owned, the rules may be more flexible, but if it's a public place, it's a public place. GIME And environmental laws are fully in force, so let's look at the key aspects of choice and use.
Choice of the material of the case: PVC or aluminum?
The first and most important question that a boater faces is what a boat should be made of. For ponds where reeds, snags and shallow waters are often found, the material of the hull plays a critical role. PVC inflatable boats The company remains the undisputed leader in this segment due to its versatility and accessibility.
Aluminum boats, or "Kazanki," are also eligible, but their use on small bodies of water is often limited by depth and width of descent. Heavy metal requires a more powerful motor to enter the plane, which on a small pond can be redundant and create a dangerous wave that blurs the shores.
On the other hand, quality reinforced polyvinyl chloride It allows you to create lightweight structures that you can carry around by hand and store in your garage, which is especially important if you don't have a permanent parking space by the water, and the ease of transportation is a key factor for many anglers.
When choosing, pay attention to the density of the fabric and the number of layers. For a pond where there is no large wave, you should not chase for heavy-duty marine modifications, but you can not save on the thickness of the bottom. The optimal density of fabric for the pond is 750-900 g / sq.m.This provides a balance between strength and weight.
⚠️ Attention: When using a boat on an overgrown pond, avoid contact with the sharp edges of the seats or transom with the sides. Puncture on a snag in an inflated balloon is less likely than a cut on a sticking screw inside the cockpit.
Let’s look at the main advantages of the materials in the table below:
| Characterization | PVC (Inflatable) | Aluminum (Metal) | Plastic (FRP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight. | Light (20-40 kg) | Medium (50-80 kg) | Severe (from 60 kg) |
| Transportation | In the trunk of a car | Only on the trailer. | Only on the trailer. |
| Noise | Silent | Loud knocking on the water | Medium |
| Repairability | High (remakes) | Difficult (welding) | Difficult (epoxy) |
Optimal dimensions and load capacity
The size of the pond boat is dictated not only by the desire for comfort, but also by the physical limitations of the pond itself: a vessel too long will be clumsy among reeds, and a vessel too narrow will be unstable when catching a trophy pike. The middle ground. For most pond fishing, the length is considered to be from 2.90 to 3.60 meters.
Bottom width also matters. Wide boat (Big Boat)150 cm or more) provides excellent stability, allowing you to stand up to full height, which is convenient for spinners. However, on very narrow ducts between the water lilies, this width can be an obstacle.
Don't forget the payload. Even if you're fishing alone, the boat has an anchor, a sonar, a cage with a catch, a fuel tank and possibly a passenger. Reserve of buoyancy An overloaded boat has a low side, and any sudden movement or wave from a passing duck can cause water to enter.
For two anglers with a motor, the minimum comfortable length will be 3.20 meters. If you plan to spend the night with a tent on the roof or use large outboard motors, you should consider options from 3.60 meters.
It's also important to consider the length of the cockpit, which is the work area. NDMA The usable space is often smaller due to the design of cylinders, whereas boats with sleigh or floorboard offer a more flat floor.
Motor traction: electricity or gasoline?
Choosing an engine for a pond is a matter of ecology, the rules of a particular reservoir and personal preferences. Electric motors They're becoming increasingly popular because of their quietness and lack of exhaust, and in confined water, it's often the only option allowed.
Gasoline two-stroke engines are more powerful and lighter, but their smell and noise can scare off all fish within a kilometer radius. ICE (internal combustion engines) or a ban on plane.
So for quiet hunting, electric motors that are 30 to 50 pounds thrust are ideal, and they allow you to sneak up silently to the parking lot of a pike or perch. LiFePO4 They are much lighter than lead-based counterparts and hold the charge longer, making them an excellent choice for long-term fishing.
If the rules allow for gasoline, choose low-power engines (2-5 hp) that are big enough to move quickly to a point, but they won't create a devastating wave. Four-stroke engines are more economical and environmentally friendly, but they're heavier and require only horizontal transport.
⚠️ Attention: Using gasoline engines on overgrown ponds can cause dangerous overheating, and grass stuffed into the cooling system (pump) can lead to a high-heating effect. lower unit You can always control the control stream of water.
For a pond with active vegetation, use an electric motor with a screw having a dropable veneer, or a two-blade screw that winds the grass less.
If your pond is big and the wind is strong, the weak battery may run out at the worst possible moment, and you'll have to paddle against the current or wind.
Equipment for comfortable fishing
In order to be a fishing boat, the boat must be properly equipped, and the basic set includes anchor, paddles and life jackets, but more is required for serious fishing. Anchor system That's the first thing you need to think about.
On ponds, the depth is rarely more than 3-5 meters, so heavy anchors are not needed. 1.5-2 kg and 10-15 meters of cord are enough. The most convenient is to use a cat anchor, which folds easily and does not take up much space in the runduk.
The second important element is sonar and navigation, and even on a small pond, the bottom can be complicated: dumps, navels, flooded trees. GPS tracker It will help you to return to the catchy spot you found in the morning, especially if the wind blows and knocks the boat off the spot.
☑️ Basic equipment of the boat
Use refrigerator bags or water cans to store your catch, and simply keeping the fish in a bag at the bottom of the boat will spoil the catch and stain the boat, and you will also need to install spinning holders so that your hands are free to control the motor or sonar.
Properly selected equipment turns a simple inflatable boat into a full-fledged fishing boat, increasing the efficiency of fishing at times.
Safety rules and GIMS
Many anglers mistakenly believe that the rules are not written on a small pond. Inland waterway transport code The GIMS rules apply to all navigable bodies of water, even if they look like puddles, and registration of a vessel is mandatory if its mass with an engine exceeds 200 kg (although this is rare for inflatable boats, aluminum is the norm).
Life jackets are a must; the color of the vest must be bright so that the person can be seen in the water; neglecting this rule can cost a life, especially if fishing takes place in the cold season or alone.
It's also important to keep an eye on the boat's technical condition. Check the pressure in the cylinders before each outing. In the sun, the air heats up and expands, so pump the boat a little less than normal if you have to stay in the heat for a long time. Re-pumping It could cause the stitches to rupture.
Remember the first aid kit and the means of communication. The cell phone should be in a waterproof bag and fully charged. On small ponds, the connection usually catches well, but it's better to be safe.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to drive a boat while drunk, on water, a person's reaction slows down, and the consequences of falling overboard in clothes and shoes can be fatal even at a depth of 1 meter.
Seasonal storage and care
For a boat to last, it needs to be properly taken care of, and after every fishing trip, especially in overgrown ponds, you need to wash away the dirt, mud and sand. SandThe left on the bottom acts as an abrasive and rubs the material when folded.
Drying is a critical step. You can't fold a wet boat, it will cause mold, bad smell, and break down the glue seams. If you can't dry at home, use special spray preservatives for short-term wet storage.
Keeping the boat straightened or half-rolled in a warm room, and extreme temperature and frost can make PVC brittle, and the engine also requires conservation: fuel discharge, candle treatment, and corrosion protection.
How to dry a PVC boat properly?
The boat needs to be washed, turned upside down and left in the shade for a few hours, the cylinders should be lowered to spread the folds, and the full drying inside the coca can take up to a day depending on the humidity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to register an inflatable boat with a 2 hp engine?
According to the current rules of GIMS, registration is subject to small vessels with an engine of more than 8 kW (about 10.8 hp) OR weight of a loaded vessel more than 200 kg. Light inflatable boat with a low-power engine usually does not require registration, but documents (checks, passports) are better to have with you to prove power.
What pressure should be in the cylinders of the PVC boat?
The optimum working pressure is usually 0.25-0.3 atmosphere (indicated in the boat data sheet). To the touch, the board should be hard, but with a strong press of the finger, slightly slacken. Pumping is dangerous in the heat, under-pumping reduces driving performance.
Can I use a boat for a pond at sea?
Using a pond boat at sea or a large reservoir is extremely dangerous; water turbulence, wind and lack of shelter can quickly turn a light vessel over, and for such conditions, you need boats with higher sides, keeled bottom and greater payload capacity.
How to seal a puncture in the field?
For emergency repairs, use the remake kit that comes with the boat (patch of fabric and glue). If there is no glue, you can temporarily use a special PVC tape or even a patch, but you need to make full repairs at home with warming and rolling.